When people talk about the need to diversify our economy, they mean bringing high-wage jobs to our low-wage mecca — not building 100-lane bowling complex in a city that already has one with 80 lanes. (That'd be Boardwalk Bowl out on East Colonial.)

The specifics for these bills are still being worked out. But, as the Sentinel's Jason Garcia explained, Disney and NASCAR's France family have talked about wanting breaks for everything from corporate-income taxes to sales tax on building materials.

Other profitable companies — Mosaic mining and Florida Power and Light's parent company — have also sought public money to help them with projects they already had planned.

Sure, the supposedly laissez-faire Republicans who run Florida constantly whine about how government should leave business alone. But they're plenty willing to mix public and private business when they're giving away your money to their campaign donors.

And before anyone starts griping about how these incentives are "only" tax breaks, rather than upfront cash, let's be clear about something: Paying taxes is part of living in civilized society.

Taxes aren't some charitable contribution. They pay for everything from the roads, which help customers reach these businesses, to the schools that educate their employees.

And companies all over Orlando and America — small and large — pay them without asking lawmakers to change the rules.

So any corporation that wants special favors from taxpayers should be willing to return those favors financially when the profits come rolling in.